To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't mean you're using kindness as a weapon to inflict pain. Instead, it suggests that overwhelming your enemy with unexpected generosity will heap burning coals of remorse and shame upon them, potentially leading to their repentance. This is the true victory: not revenge, but transformation that leaves them overcome by conviction, not vengeance.
To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is concluding his practical instructions on Christian living by urging believers not to retaliate when wronged, but instead to actively demonstrate love, even towards enemies. This command, drawn from Proverbs, highlights a profound way to defeat evil—not by meeting it with more evil, but by overwhelming it with persistent kindness, which will ultimately bring shame and remorse to the enemy, or even lead to their repentance.
The idea of heaping 'burning coals' on an enemy's head sounds harsh, even vengeful. But what if this 'fire' isn't about destruction, but transformation?
This verse quotes Proverbs 25:21-22, and the phrase 'heap burning coals on his head' is a powerful metaphor. While it can sound like a curse, the commentators suggest a different, more profound meaning.
A Metaphor for Remorse
Paul doesn't just say 'don't get revenge.' He flips the script, calling for active, intentional goodness towards those who oppose us. Why such an extreme command?
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This command to 'feed him' and 'give him something to drink' isn't just about avoiding harm; it's about actively doing good, even when it feels unnatural or undeserved.
Beyond Mere Non-Retaliation
Understand the original words
echthros · Greek Noun
An adversary or opponent, specifically one who hates or opposes the believer or the Gospel; the object of Christian love and service.
This passage is the direct source of Paul's instruction, establishing the ancient wisdom that responding to an enemy's need with kindness is a powerful, albeit unconventional, way to bring about change.
Matthew 5:44Jesus expands on this principle in His teaching, commanding believers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, echoing the radical kindness Paul advocates here.
1 Samuel 24:17-19David spares King Saul's life when he has the opportunity, acknowledging his own wrongdoing and demonstrating that kindness, even to an enemy, can reveal truth and lead to reconciliation.
Luke 6:35This verse from Luke's Gospel directly parallels the instruction, urging followers to 'love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return,' reinforcing the selfless nature of this command.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7The description of love as patient, kind, and not keeping a record of wrongs provides the underlying character and motivation for the actions described in Romans 12:20, showing *how* to 'feed' and 'give drink' to an enemy.
vincentRomans 12:20: "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."
Feed (ψώμιζε)See on sop, John 13:26. The citation from Proverbs 25:21, Proverbs 25:22, closely follows both Hebrew and Septuagint.Shalt heap (σωρεύσεις)Only here and 2 Timothy 3:6.Coals of fireMany explain: The memory of the wrong awakened in your enemy by your kindness, shall sting him with penitence. This, however, might be open to the objection…
barnesRomans 12:20: "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."
Therefore, if thine enemy hunger ... - This verse is taken almost literally from Proverbs 25:21-22 . Hunger and thirst here are put for want in general. If thine enemy is needy in any way, do him good, and supply his needs. This is, in spirit, the same as the command of the Lord Jesus Matthew 5:44 , "Do good to them that hate you," etc. In so doing…
The verse doesn't mean you're using kindness as a weapon to inflict pain. Instead, it suggests that overwhelming your enemy with unexpected generosity will heap burning coals of remorse and shame upon them, potentially leading to their repentance. This is the true victory: not revenge, but transformation that leaves them overcome by conviction, not vengeance.
Paul is concluding his practical instructions on Christian living by urging believers not to retaliate when wronged, but instead to actively demonstrate love, even towards enemies. This command, drawn from Proverbs, highlights a profound way to defeat evil—not by meeting it with more evil, but by overwhelming it with persistent kindness, which will ultimately bring shame and remorse to the enemy, or even lead to their repentance.
Paul is concluding his practical instructions on Christian living by urging believers not to retaliate when wronged, but instead to actively demonstrate love, even towards enemies. This command, drawn from Proverbs, highlights a profound way to defeat evil—not by meeting it with more evil, but by overwhelming it with persistent kindness, which will ultimately bring shame and remorse to the enemy, or even lead to their repentance.
"To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”" — The verse doesn't mean you're using kindness as a weapon to inflict pain. Instead, it suggests that overwhelming your enemy with unexpected generosity will heap burning coals of remorse and shame…
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Last reviewed October 2026